Police on lookout for drunken drivers

With Independence Day among the deadliest holidays for drivers, local law enforcement plans to step up patrols to focus on drunken drivers, as additional Amarillo Police officers and state troopers hit the roads through the weekend, authorities said.

APD officers working extra patrol will be paid through a Texas Department of Transportation grant, police said.

Law enforcement across the state will take a “no refusal” approach to drunken driving, which allows suspected intoxicated drivers to be pulled over and requires them to provide a breath or blood sample, TxDOT said. Drivers who are legally intoxicated — with a blood or breath-alcohol content of .08 or higher — face arrest and prosecution.

Those stopped by law enforcement could be cited or arrested regardless of their blood or breath alcohol content, police said.

“If you’re wanting to celebrate and there’s going to be alcohol involved, make arrangements prior to going, whether you have a designated driver or plan to stay,” Amarillo Police Cpl. Neufeld said.

On Independence Day last year, there were 133 alcohol-related crashes in Texas, TxDOT said.

In the Texas Panhandle, there were six alcohol-related accidents, and state troopers issued 39 DWI tickets from July 4 through 8, DPS spokesman Trooper Chris Ray said.